VIFP Diamond: 200+ Points

This is Carnival’s top-tier status level, bringing all the benefits of Red, Gold and Platinum status to bear, along with a set of additional perks:

A one-time free cabin upgrade or the option for a third and fourth guest to stay for free in your cabin on a cruise. The cabin upgrade can bump you up one major category. For example, you can move from an interior to room with a window, from a room with a window to one with a balcony or from a room with a balcony to a suite. A one-time complimentary meal for two at an onboard specialty restaurant. A one-time donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, made by Carnival in your honor. Unlimited complimentary wash and fold service. Guaranteed main and specialty dining reservations. A VIFP Diamond Luggage Tag set. Access to a dedicated booking hotline.

VIFP Platinum: 75 – 199 Points

This is when the benefits really begin to roll in. Platinum members are showered with extra perks, including:

Priority spa, dining and premium dining reservations: Cruise passengers must choose a set time for their dinner in the main dining room on a daily basis. Though it’s possible to eat in the café, order complimentary room service or pick up snacks and pizza at your convenience, scoring the “right” dinner time is a great way to ensure you’ll enjoy the best food each night. The perfect time will vary for each passenger, based on your preference, but having Platinum status means you should be able to lock in the time you’d like. Priority tender boarding: At ports where docking up close isn’t possible, smaller tenders will take passengers to and from land. There can be a substantial wait at peak times to debark or head back to the ship. Priority tender boarding allows you to skip the line. Priority check-in and boarding. One of the few pain points of cruising can be the long lines for check-in if you arrive at peak embarkation times for longer cruises with larger families. Skipping to the front of the line means making your way onto the ship – and to the embarkation party – more quickly. Complimentary wash and fold service for clothing. Up to two bags on 3-6 day cruises, three bags on 7-12 day cruises and five bags on 12+ day journeys. A “Chocolate Delight” dessert delivered to your room on 5+ day cruises. Unique ship and year collectible pins on each sailing, a nice memory of each adventure you’ve enjoyed. Buy 1 Get 1 entries for blackjack and slots tournaments at the on-board casino. Priority reservations hotline. A special Carnival logo gift on each sailing. $5 complimentary arcade credit for passengers under 18.

As before, Gold and Red privileges stack at the platinum level, so you’ll enjoy access to the special VIFP party on 5+ day sailings and a complimentary drink at breakfast or lunch in the main dining room.

VIFP Gold: 25 – 74 Points

Once you’ve reached Gold status, you’ll be offered an invitation to an exclusive party with complimentary drinks and appetizers open only to Gold, Platinum and Diamond members on any 5+ day sailing. You’ll also receive a souvenir Gold VIFP pin. Benefits accumulate as you gain status, so you’ll still enjoy the complimentary beverage also offered to VIFP Red members.

VIFP Red: Second Sailing – 24 Points

Beginning with your second cruise, you’ll receive a new card indicating you’re a returning guest. Along with this, you’ll receive one complimentary beverage at breakfast or lunch in the main dining room, worth $9 or less. That covers any soft drinks, beers and house wines and a fair number of cocktails, too. It’s the little things that count!

VIFP Blue: First Sailing

The base level of the program, VIFP Blue is the status level everyone starts at on their first cruise with Carnival. You’ll receive members-only discounts, sales and newsletters by email, though that’s the only benefit to be found here. VIFP discounts can be substantial, however, so if you have any intention of taking another cruise in the future, I highly recommend signing up. This will also put you on the path toward higher levels of status, which begin with your second cruise!